Thought behind the thought:
Social media is an interesting place to meander sometimes. It’s amazing; the lives people live or project to be living. Exotic holidays, celebrations and achievements are all well documented and presented in the form of stunning photographs. Yet the other day a photo was shared that shook me to the core of my being. It was a photo of a group of girls and all of them had one thing in common. They were all victims of acid attacks. It shames me to think that we are the so called human beings, “the evolved species”. Are we really civilized, cultured and sensitive people? How in the world can we unleash such brutality on innocent people? Is loving someone an emotion that makes you harm them beyond imagination? Is hating someone reason enough to cause such pain anguish and trauma? So who do these attackers think they are that the world owes it to them, to fulfill their desires? It’s time we stood behind our daughters and became more supportive and strong. It’s time we are no more bystanders but come to the aid of a victim. It’s definitely time to ask ourselves am I being a Human.
About The Art:
Lakshmi is an acid attack survivor herself. She began the Stop Acid Attack campaign to give a voice to victims of such heinous violence. She wanted to create a safe haven for these girls where they would get support, care and advice on building a self sustaining life. Café Sheroes Hangout (She Heroes) is an attempt to put these fighters back into the mainstream society that had shun them in the first place. It is an effort not only to make them financially independent but also to give them confidence and courage to face their hardships. The café serves food prepared by the fighters. It is a readers' cafe that displays and sells works crafted by the Sheroes. It also houses a community radio hub and works as a space to conduct activism workshops. Ironically the café is situated right opposite the Taj Mahal in Agra. One, a symbol of a man honouring the woman he loved and the other, a sanctuary to women who suffered brutality at the very hands of people who claimed to have “loved” them, or who were their “loved ones”.
On their web page a few lines are written that give you a sense of the horror that these girls face.
“When dreams die, they do not make much noise. When hopes are crushed, the sighs are soundless. Acid corrodes gently. Eating away at her skin, bones and her dreams. The rest of her life begins now. A battle against unending, excruciating pain, deformity, social negligence, ostracisation and an invisible justice system.
“When dreams die, they do not make much noise. When hopes are crushed, the sighs are soundless. Acid corrodes gently. Eating away at her skin, bones and her dreams. The rest of her life begins now. A battle against unending, excruciating pain, deformity, social negligence, ostracisation and an invisible justice system.
Credits:
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